THE CHOPPING BLOCK – CHEF PROFILES
Kathleen Lunetto
Favorite class to teach:
Pasta Workshop
Training/education:
CIA - 1997
Cooking since:
Ever since I can remember, professionally since 1990
Favorite childhood food experience:
My mom being furious that I didn't wait for her to make chocolate chip cookies -- I was just 7 -- and later winning first place on those cookies in a Girl Scout competition.
What made you want to become a chef?
My parents took my sister and me out lots when we were growing up and I developed an appreciation for nice restaurants and good food. I loved presentations and experimenting with new ingredients.
What is your signature dish?
Pasta Bolognese, milk is my secret ingredient.
What are the 5 ingredients you can't live without?
Salt, Olive oil, Wine, Sriracha, Chocolate
What do you love about cooking?
I love the seasonality of food. There is nothing more comforting than my grandpa's cobbler made with orchard fresh peaches in August, except maybe a hearty Italian ragout over creamy polenta in January.
When you're creating a new recipe, what influences and inspires you?
The world influences me; new ingredients, traveling, seasons, colors, weather, other chefs, cookbooks and The Chopping Block. I always leave work wanting to cook!
What advice would you give a new cook?
Start with the basics and build your repertoire from there.
What are you doing when you're not cooking?
Preschool drop off, visiting the great parks, farmer's markets, and museums in Chicago, sneaking veggies in my kids food, and my latest endeavor -- attending class at Northwestern University.
If you had friends in from out of town, where would you take them to eat?
My house. I love hanging out in my back yard and showing off my Big Green Egg!
Where are you from?
I grew up in Southern California, the OC to be exact, but you'd never guess that about me.
What was your favorite vacation?
Spain or France, it's a toss up.
What are your hobbies?
Cooking, gardening, walking, and learning.
What is your favorite band?
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
What is your favorite sports team?
I am not really into sports much but if I had to choose I would say the Blackhawks.
If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be?
My grandpa.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Valrhona bittersweet chocolate and a few almonds or walnuts while my kids nap.
Who is your favorite celebrity chef?
Alain Ducasse
What 5 tools should every new cook have in the kitchen?
A good chef's knife, sauce pot, cutting board, peeler, and microplaner.
List/describe three of your favorite tips or techniques you use in the kitchen.
Kids don't even notice when you add a grated carrot, zucchini or even broccoli to most baked goods. Brownies, cookies, cake, even meatballs/loaf!
When spraying pans with non stick spray do it on the open door of your dishwasher to reduce the mess of the spray.
For parents who are home in the day, get your cooking (at least your mis en place) done in the morning for that evening. As you know things are much calmer in the morning so you will enjoy your cooking time more and have better results.